[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/PVqxlG7.png[/img][hr][/right]

To Locke, he was at least thankful for Cecelia being a scout. Avoiding trouble was as valid a strategy as heading onwards with strength. Comparing his method of transportation with the noble's spells and other-noble's horse, Locke was considerably less impressive. He was raised in the mountains. While he was a scholar first and foremost, the harsh environment of his homeland gave him a considerable endurance. Even though he was less dexterous than a deft swordsman, he could at least haul his ass over the ruins a horse couldn't. Through a mixture of alleyways that cut corners and ruins that were impassable for a horse, he managed to stay somewhat close to his horseback companion.

The obstacles in the way were insignificant. The magic that both he and Artemisia used was simple in nature, but ever so efficient. If someone charged at the duo, Locke simply bound their legs in the dark rope. If someone was about to shout for help, a quick blast of dark magic stopped that. Though, they attracted a disproportionate amount of banditry. Obviously because they were the only ones there who actually seemed to groom themselves and wear nice things. 

Crumbled roads and alleys turned to a destroyed palace as they reached the center. Where they were at, at least, had no other people. Were they alone? Perhaps. Maybe there was another, but separated by another side. The small crystals that littered the center's streets were odd. A faint light. For the time, they had interested Locke more than the prospective treasure where the crystals had presumably led. Cecilia could handle following where they led, Locke thought.

The mountain man had his limits after all. Exhausted from actually running the entire way, spent the first few moments of rest and relaxation huffing and trying not to vomit. He didn't have a horse to ride on nor a spell to make the trip faster. He put in way too much effort getting to the center. Perhaps teaming up with the two nobles wasn't the best idea. Then again, if not them, then who? Thoughts for another time. 

Cecilia told of her plans to climb all the way up. Probably for the best if she was the one that went. Let the two terrestrial mages stay down. Probably for the best. With a huff and puff, he replied to her request for assistance not with words but with action and a tired hand sign. Between his wheezing, he said what the fairy should do.

[color=EB9B40]"Protect her."[/color]

Really, he just wanted to hurl at this point. Not because of saying something sappy like "protect her". More so that he just raced a horse.